what do I do with the stuff in my garage?

what do I do with the stuff in my garage? by Julie in PA on June 18, 2012 @18:32

I had a tenant renting a garage from me and without notice, he he took his stuff out and left the garage door unlocked. Another tenant who I evicted put his stuff in the garage without my permission and locked it. I knew the first tenant was out because I called him when the rent didn't show up so, since I couldn't figure out who the stuff belonged to, I cut the lock off. When I saw who's stuff it was I called him and he said he would come and get it which he never did. Then he said he would send money which he never did. It's been in there 6 months with no rent and no lock on the door. I haven't had a new potential renter for the garage until now and I want to get rid of his stuff. When I call him he always answers the phone and makes up some excuse. Since there is no lease, he hasn't paid any rent on the garage and he seems to have abandoned his stuff, can I just throw it out or put FREE on the door? I can't even do a formal eviction because he won't give me his address (which I asked for to mail him a lease to sign). What should I do? Thank you.

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Re: what do I do with the stuff in my garage? by Annie, CA on June 18, 2012 @18:52	[ Reply ]

Since he has been evicted and trespassed on your proptery, I think you pretty well free to get rid of the stuff. Maybe there is some law I don't know about and some of the other landlords can help with that.

Re: what do I do with the stuff in my garage? by Jake on June 18, 2012 @19:21	[ Reply ]

Tell the guy what day the junk will be set outside on the curb and advise him that he must come for it if he wants it. Send a certified mail to confirm the date.

Re: what do I do with the stuff in my garage? by Bryan (Ia) on June 18, 2012 @23:36	[ Reply ]

I doubt this falls under the usual LL/T laws that we deal with here. Check out your state's laws on (mini)storage.

Re: what do I do with the stuff in my garage? by The Dude (MN) on June 19, 2012 @09:00	[ Reply ]

Wait a minute... let me get this straight. A tenant who you evicted put his stuff in your garage without your permission and without a lease or agreement? What happened? Did he notice your tenant who abandoned the property had moved out and just put his stuff in there overnight? That's a ballsy move. Why is this even a question? You'd be too kind to notify him when his stuff will be on the corner. I'd just set it out and be done with it. I can't think of one possible law you'd be violating by doing that. It would be much different obviously if you had an agreement, even a verbal one, to let him store his things there or if he had paid you anything for the use of this garage. As is, what could he possibly say in court that the judge wouldn't find ridiculous? "Uh... your Honor.... I moved my stuff in without her permission, put a lock on it, ignored her requests to move it, didn't pay her a dime, and left it there for 6 months. Then she had the nerve to put it out on the curb!!!!!" No judge is going to believe any story he makes up. If he says he paid you, he'll have to prove it. If he says he had an agreement, he'll have to show it. My only question is why is his stuff still there? I would've put it on the curb the second I cut the lock.